Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is a Z-Pak?For Sinus InfectionsSide EffectsOther AntibioticsSeeking Medical CareFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is a Z-Pak?

For Sinus Infections

Side Effects

Other Antibiotics

Seeking Medical Care

Frequently Asked Questions

Sinus infectionsare a common problem, affecting millions of people each year.Viruses, bacteria, or fungi can cause them. In most cases, sinus infections will go away within a few weeks, andantibiotics may not be necessary. However, your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics if your sinus infection is severe or does not improve with home treatments.

A Z-Pak is a five-day course ofazithromycinthat has been a common antibiotic for sinus infections. Azithromycin is in the class of antibiotics known as macrolides. It prevents bacteria from multiplying.However, it is not a recommended first-line therapy due to the high rate of antibiotic resistance for macrolides.

This article will discuss when it is necessary to treat your sinus infection with an antibiotic, whether Z-Pak is a good option, and other available antibiotics.

Getty Images / digicomphoto

Different medications on display, including a pill bottle of azithromycin

A Z-Pak is a five-day course of azithromycin, which is an antibiotic.It treats various bacterial infections, including sinus infections, pneumonia, and ear infections.Azithromycin is also used to treat sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Can a Z-Pak Treat a Sinus Infection?

Yes, a Z-Pak can be an effective treatment for bacterial sinus infections. However, it is ineffective against viral sinus infections, which account for most sinus infections. Moreover, a Z-Pak is no longer the recommended go-to antibiotic due to the risk of resistance. Instead, it is more likely to be used as a substitute for penicillin antibiotics when a person has apenicillin allergy.

Viruses cause most sinus infections.Viral sinus infections usually go away within seven to 10 days.However, if your symptoms are severe or do not improve after 10 days, you may have a bacterial sinus infection.

It is crucial to see a healthcare provider to get a diagnosis. Your healthcare provider will be able to determine whether a bacterium or virus is causing your infection.

How Long Will a Z-Pak Take to Work

Most people will start to feel better within a few days of taking a Z-Pak for a sinus infection. However, the infection may take up to a week to completely clear.If you do not start to feel better after a few days of taking a Z-Pak, or if your symptoms get worse, you should see your healthcare provider.

Side Effects of a Z-Pak

Azithromycin is generally well-tolerated, but it can cause some side effects. Some of the most common side effects of azithromycin are :

Safety Warning About Z-PakThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns about the risk of abnormal changes in the electrical activity of the heart and irregular heart rhythm with the use of azithromycin. This is known as QT prolongation. You may be at increased risk if you:Have existingQT interval prolongationHave low blood levels ofpotassiumormagnesiumHave a slower-than-normal heart rateUse certain medications designed to treat irregular heart rhythms

Safety Warning About Z-Pak

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns about the risk of abnormal changes in the electrical activity of the heart and irregular heart rhythm with the use of azithromycin. This is known as QT prolongation. You may be at increased risk if you:Have existingQT interval prolongationHave low blood levels ofpotassiumormagnesiumHave a slower-than-normal heart rateUse certain medications designed to treat irregular heart rhythms

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns about the risk of abnormal changes in the electrical activity of the heart and irregular heart rhythm with the use of azithromycin. This is known as QT prolongation. You may be at increased risk if you:

What Other Antibiotics Can Treat a Sinus Infection?

Other antibiotics can treat bacterial sinus infections, including:

Your healthcare provider can prescribe the best antibiotic for you based on your circumstances.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If you think you may have a sinus infection, it is essential to see a healthcare provider to get a diagnosis. Your healthcare provider will be able to determine whether bacteria or a virus is the cause of your infection and will prescribe the appropriate treatment.

You should see a healthcare provider if:

Summary

Although antibiotics may be necessary for a bacterial sinus infection, most infections are viral and will resolve on their own with time. However, you should seek care if your symptoms are severe or last longer than 10 days.

While Z-Pak was once a popular antibiotic remedy, it is no longer recommended as a first-line therapy due to the high rate of bacteria resistant to macrolides in the United States.If you have a bacterial sinus infection, you will most likely be prescribed amoxicillin unless you have a penicillin allergy.

If you have sinus infection symptoms, seeing a healthcare provider for a diagnosis is vital. It is important to take all of your antibiotics even if you start to feel better to prevent recurrence or drug resistance.

For instance, while amoxicillin is highly effective, individuals allergic to penicillin require a different antibiotic, such as azithromycin, which has also been proven to treat sinus infections effectively.

There are many things you can do to findsymptom relieffrom a sinus infection:Drink plenty of fluids.Use ahumidifieror take a hot shower to help loosen mucus.Get plenty of rest.Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.Use over-the-counter pain relievers, such asibuprofen or acetaminophen.Use nasal saline sprays or rinses.Use cough drops or lozenges.

There are many things you can do to findsymptom relieffrom a sinus infection:

Most sinus infections will clear up on their own. However, some people may need antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection. If you have a severe sinus infection or your symptoms do not improve after a few days, you may need to see a healthcare provider for antibiotics.It is important to note that taking antibiotics when they are not necessary can lead to antibiotic resistance.Antibiotic resistance is a serious problem that makes it more challenging to treat future infections.If you have a sinus infection, seeing a healthcare provider to get a diagnosis is essential. Your healthcare provider will be able to determine whether you have a bacterial infection and, if so, whether antibiotics are necessary.

Most sinus infections will clear up on their own. However, some people may need antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection. If you have a severe sinus infection or your symptoms do not improve after a few days, you may need to see a healthcare provider for antibiotics.

It is important to note that taking antibiotics when they are not necessary can lead to antibiotic resistance.Antibiotic resistance is a serious problem that makes it more challenging to treat future infections.

If you have a sinus infection, seeing a healthcare provider to get a diagnosis is essential. Your healthcare provider will be able to determine whether you have a bacterial infection and, if so, whether antibiotics are necessary.

The author would like to recognize and thank Leen Alyaseen for contributing to this article.

8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic sinusitis.MedlinePlus.Azithromycin.Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, et al.Clinical practice guideline (update): adult sinusitis.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(2 Suppl):S1-S39. doi:10.1177/0194599815572097Food and Drug Administration:AzithromycinDailymed.LABEL: AZITHROMYCIN tablet, film coated, AZITHROMYCIN powder, for suspensionCenter for Disease Control and Prevention.Sinus infection (sinusitis).American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Sinus infectionFood and Drug Administration.FDA drug safety communication: azithromycin (Zithromax or Zmax) and the risk of potentially fatal heart rhythms.

8 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic sinusitis.MedlinePlus.Azithromycin.Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, et al.Clinical practice guideline (update): adult sinusitis.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(2 Suppl):S1-S39. doi:10.1177/0194599815572097Food and Drug Administration:AzithromycinDailymed.LABEL: AZITHROMYCIN tablet, film coated, AZITHROMYCIN powder, for suspensionCenter for Disease Control and Prevention.Sinus infection (sinusitis).American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Sinus infectionFood and Drug Administration.FDA drug safety communication: azithromycin (Zithromax or Zmax) and the risk of potentially fatal heart rhythms.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic sinusitis.MedlinePlus.Azithromycin.Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, et al.Clinical practice guideline (update): adult sinusitis.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(2 Suppl):S1-S39. doi:10.1177/0194599815572097Food and Drug Administration:AzithromycinDailymed.LABEL: AZITHROMYCIN tablet, film coated, AZITHROMYCIN powder, for suspensionCenter for Disease Control and Prevention.Sinus infection (sinusitis).American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Sinus infectionFood and Drug Administration.FDA drug safety communication: azithromycin (Zithromax or Zmax) and the risk of potentially fatal heart rhythms.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic sinusitis.

MedlinePlus.Azithromycin.

Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, et al.Clinical practice guideline (update): adult sinusitis.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(2 Suppl):S1-S39. doi:10.1177/0194599815572097

Food and Drug Administration:Azithromycin

Dailymed.LABEL: AZITHROMYCIN tablet, film coated, AZITHROMYCIN powder, for suspension

Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Sinus infection (sinusitis).

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Sinus infection

Food and Drug Administration.FDA drug safety communication: azithromycin (Zithromax or Zmax) and the risk of potentially fatal heart rhythms.

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